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Roesler takes runner-up at NCAA championships

EUGENE, Ore. -- It is 1,607 miles from Fargo to Eugene, Ore., and to Oregon's Laura Roesler, it must have seemed she was that far behind LSU's Natoya Goule at the start of the women's 800 meters at the NCAA championships Friday. Goule took off like a rocket.

On a muggy evening at historic Hayward Field, Roesler drew energy from her home fans, but it wasn't enough to take down one of the best female half-milers in the world.

Goule, flying out to a large early lead, won in a career-best 2 minutes, .06 seconds that ranks No. 4 on the collegiate all-time list.

As for Roesler?

The former Fargo South star tallied a personal-best 2:00.98. The second-place points were important to her team, but she wasn't thrilled at not giving the Hayward crowd a reason to jump out of their seats.

Roesler was not satisfied with just chasing Goule around for two laps and then standing on the podium to collect the second-place medal.

"Any regular, normal person would be stoked," she said. "I did everything I could. That's the fastest I've gone out in a race. With somebody like Natoya you can't really let her go, but you can't go with her. It kinda bites. Huge PR, but I did not want to be the bridesmaid."

Goule hit 27.4 for the first 200 meters and the first-lap time was 57.92.

Roesler was in a good position -- third and running smoothly -- coming around the final turn.

She took over second, and reached for something extra in the last 100 yards, but Goule was gone.

Goule was asked how concerned she was with Roesler and the hometown crowd effect.

Many a UO runner has come from way back to snatch victory with the help of track and field's loudest fans. The ghost of Steve Prefontaine is here, urging Ducks' athletes on.

"I wasn't really too concerned because I heard the fans here support everyone, if it's not their own," said Goule. "So I wasn't too worried about the crowd. But I was a little bit worried about Laura because I know she's a good competitor."

Roesler knew it would take a staggering time to beat Goule. She could see a race where both of them went under two minutes.

"That two-minute barrier, it's like a crucifix," she said

Roesler talked about running more big races for the Ducks.

"No more seconds," she said.

So what could she have done differently?

"Gone out a little faster, I guess, but I executed my race perfectly," she said. I just didn't have it. No excuses. I ran my race, I ran well, and she just ran better today."

NDSU senior Brost finishes 18th in pole vault

North Dakota State senior Leslie Brost finished in 18th place in the pole vault Friday in the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

Brost cleared 13 feet, 3½ inches on her third attempt. She earned honorable mention All-America status for competing in the NCAA championships.